Exclusive: Campaigner's Victory as MPs Back Stab Vests for All Prison Staff
Claire Lewis, a former prison officer who suffered a horrific assault at high-security Frankland jail in Durham sixteen years ago, has achieved a significant parliamentary victory in her campaign to protect all prison staff across the United Kingdom. The mother of two, who endured severe PTSD and retired due to her injuries, took her crusade directly to Parliament on Thursday, where MPs debated the issue for the first time.
From Personal Tragedy to National Campaign
Claire Lewis, now 50 and from Washington, Tyne and Wear, was attacked in 2010 by Kevan Thakrar, who is serving three life sentences for murder. Thakrar was cleared of attempting to murder Claire after a three-and-a-half-week trial in November 2011. The traumatic experience propelled Claire into activism, leading her to launch a petition last year following another alleged attack on staff by terrorist Hashem Abedi at Frankland prison.
"It should be rolled out because what happened to me could happen to anyone working in the prison estate," Claire stated emphatically. "The protection must be fit for purpose. It is vital." Her petition on Change.org garnered support from 32,500 members of the public, amplifying her call for comprehensive safety measures.
Parliamentary Support and Government Action
The Westminster Hall debate saw cross-party backing for mandatory anti-stab vests, with former Conservative Minister Sir Julian Lewis leading the discussion. "The introduction of mandatory anti stab vests won support from parties across the political spectrum," Sir Julian declared after the debate. "We need to provide it for every member of prison staff now." MPs paid tribute to Claire's invaluable work in raising this critical safety issue.
While the Government has pledged to supply 10,000 officers with protective body armour and equip hundreds of frontline staff with Tasers, Claire argues this falls short. She believes all 23,000 prison officers deserve protection, pointing out that traffic wardens and nightclub bouncers in some areas already wear the £250 vests. The earlier plan to limit vests to staff in supervision centres and high-security segregation units was deemed insufficient.
Urgent Need for Proper Protection
The debate highlighted recent violent incidents, including Hashem Abedi's alleged assault in Frankland's separation unit, which left officers with injuries such as a severed artery in the neck, third-degree burns, and a punctured lung. This incident sparked calls for prison officers to carry Taser guns, similar to police officers who received anti-stab vests back in 1994.
Claire's husband, Ged Mulheran, 57, a former police officer, emphasized the importance of quality equipment. "If we are going to do this, we want to do it properly," he asserted. "We must ensure that the provision does not necessarily come from existing contracts." The Prison Officers Association has demanded that staff be equipped with stab vests and Tasers at all times, warning that without proper equipment, more officers risk PTSD diagnosis after attacks.
Government Response and Future Steps
The Ministry of Justice responded, stating: "The safety of our hard-working staff is our top priority, which is why we are increasing the use of mandatory body armour across the estate. It's part of broader action we're taking to boost safety, including more dog teams and better physical security measures." Approximately £15 million is being invested in staff protection initiatives.
Supported by her local Labour MP Sharon Hodgson and Sir Julian Lewis, Claire's campaign has transformed personal tragedy into a national safety imperative. As the debate concluded, the consensus was clear: protecting those who work in prisons is not just a policy issue but a moral obligation, ensuring that no officer faces the dangers Claire endured without adequate defence.
